Facing one of the tightest labor markets in the U.S., Foxconn has been trying to tap Chinese engineers through internal transfers to supplement staffing for its planned Wisconsin plant, according to people familiar with the matter.WSJ.com: WSJD

Altria Group said it would pull its e-cigarette pods from the market and discontinue the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes in response to mounting concerns about a surge in underage use of similar products.WSJ.com: US Business

FATHER TO SON: Arje Griegst forged a unique path as a jeweler and sculptor, since founding his eponymous label in the Sixties, and now a whole new generation has the chance to own — and wear — his work.
Two years after his father’s death, Noam Griegst is setting out to honor his legacy and bring pieces from his archive alive. They’re currently on display — and for sale — outside Copenhagen for the first time at Dover Street Market in London. The store is debuting 10 reissued designs by the late jeweler during the Frieze Art Fair, which runs until Sunday.
Griegst’s commitment to craftsmanship was unrivaled: He made his first piece of cutlery at age 10, received a De Beers Prize at 19 and went on to create a world of his own inside his Copenhagen studio, designing sculpted pieces in gold and precious stones and often receiving commissions from the Danish Royal Family.
“A single ring could take two years to make. He would cast it in wax, again and again, until it was perfected, and in the meantime we were all starving at home and my mum would go completely crazy,” Noam said in an interview. “I’ve been working

After more than eight decades making its mark in the Asian market, Descente is setting its sights on America.
The Japanese athletic brand has created a wholly owned North American subsidiary, Descente Athletic Americas Inc., that is based in Atlanta, as well as an e-commerce site that will launch today.
Although Descente has sold its Mountain ski collection in the U.S. for some time, this marks the first time its Athletic lifestyle offering will be sold in America.
Fritz Taylor, a 30-year veteran whose résumé includes Nike, Under Armour, Brooks and Mizuno, has been tapped to serve as president of Descente Athletic Americas and to introduce the collection to the U.S. market.
Taylor admitted that when he was approached by Descente to join the company, he wasn’t interested. “The market is so crowded. Do we really need another sportswear brand?” he asked. But he agreed to make the trip to the brand’s Japanese headquarters, where he was impressed by Descente’s craftsmanship and innovation. “I felt like there was something really unique there,” he said, so he agreed to join.
“The sportswear market is at an interesting time where consumers are either gravitating toward disposable fashion or fewer but higher-quality garments,” Taylor added. “Our attitude is

Concept Korea wants to help Korean designers beyond New York Fashion Week.
The organization, which is formed out of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism agency, came to New York 10 years ago with the goal of providing Korean designers with the resources to have a show during New York Fashion Week. Successful alumni from the program include Kai, Beyond Closet and Juun.J.
But according to Misun Song, project director of Concept Korea, the designers have requested more help in the U.S. market, which is why Concept Korea is launching The Select, a showroom that opened this week that will feature the spring collections from 10 Korean designers including Nohant, Lie, Wnderkammer, Bmuet(te), Kye, Beyond Closet, The Centaur, SWBD, Hidden Forest Market and Heohwan Simulation. The showroom is located at 62 Greene Street in New York.
“We allow designers to do a show twice a year and then after that they disconnect from the market,” said Song. “We heard from a lot of designers that they would like a more permanent space in the U.S.”
The showroom will serve as a space where buyers can discover brands and conduct business, but it will also be a venue for pop-ups that will be open

SPEED DEMON: Montaigne Market, the Paris concept store that recently moved into new digs on Avenue Matignon, has collaborated with photographer Mathieu César on a Formula 1-themed exhibition.
Titled “Race Kit,” the show, timed with the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship that wraps on Nov. 25, centers on César’s passion for the sporting event. Known for his black-and-white fashion films and celebrity portraits, the French photographer also dedicated his first tome to the theme, which will launch at the exhibition.
Set to run from Sept. 24 to Oct. 8, the exhibition will see the first floor of the Parisian luxury boutique transformed into a custom racing track, complete with miniature cars created by French furniture manufacturer Hervet and a display of 50 racing helmets.
Fashion-wise, cult Milan-based fashion brand MSGM has designed a racing-themed capsule collection based on the aesthetic of vintage racing sponsors. Creative director Massimo Giorgetti dreamed up a scarf, baseball hat and pair of socks blending MSGM’s bold lettering with traditional racing codes, like the black-and-white-checkered flag motif.
Other themed releases include custom pouches by accessory designer Hugo Matha and ceramic helmets by art duo Mon Colonel & Spit.

Men’s wear continues to make strides as guys from all walks of life prove that it’s not only women that care how they look.
From the red-hot streetwear market to suits with a slim modern fit — and technical attributes in everything — men continue to upgrade their wardrobes to keep up with the latest trends.
And it’s showing in the numbers.
Men’s wear is now estimated to represent 40 percent of the global apparel market and continues to grow. According to Euromonitor International, global sales of men’s wear increased 3.7 percent to $ 419 billion in 2017, outpacing women’s, which rose 3.4 percent to $ 643 billion.
In the U.S., sales hit $ 85 billion last year and are on track to rise 1.1 percent to over $ 86 billion this year, Euromonitor projected.
Other firms’ figures bear that out as well. According to Statista, retail sales of the men’s market in the U.S. were $ 62.1 billion in 2013 and are projected to hit nearly $ 75 billion this year.
And NPD Group said for the six months ended June 2018, total men’s apparel sales rose 3 percent to $ 29 billion with active bottoms and knit shirts gaining in popularity while dress shirts and woven shirts declined. For the second

FENDI FEST: Fendi has become the latest brand to stage a takeover of Selfridges’ Corner Shop, filling the space with logo bags and clothing, colored balloons and family-fun activities in the spirit of an open-air market.
The Italian brand wanted to re-create the traditional Roman piazza — in holiday mode — which explains the Steccolecco ice cream stand selling double-F logo popsicles. Steccolecco, which is known for its all-natural ingredients, is making its London debut in the space.
Visitors can also send a customized Fendi postcard directly from the space. There are seven different postcard designs inspired by the history of the FF logo and an onsite calligrapher can pen a message and mail it anywhere in the world.

The Fendi kiosk at Selfridges’ Corner Shop in London.
Courtesy Photo

There are a retro photo booth — like the kind from an old funfair — and colored balloons everywhere. Giant, inflatable, special-edition FF logo balloons in blue, red and white will be distributed for free, in limited quantities, twice a day.
Clothes and accessories include pre-launch pieces such as sweatshirts with the Fendi/Fila logo by Hey Reilly, which made their debut on Fendi’s women’s runway in February.
The large Mon Trésor bag in leather and shearling is also in stock,

Facebook suffered the biggest-ever one-day loss in market value for a U.S.-listed company, marking a Wall Street U-turn on a company that has been a pillar of a yearslong tech-stock surge.WSJ.com: US Business

Facebook suffered the biggest-ever one-day loss in market value for a U.S.-listed company, marking a Wall Street U-turn on a company that has been a pillar of a yearslong tech-stock surge.WSJ.com: WSJD

The investment by Ermenegildo Zegna and Reliance Brands in Indian men’s wear designer Raghavendra Rathore marks a series of firsts for all the companies involved — and could signal a major turning point in global companies’ attitude toward Indian fashion.
The investment is the first in an Indian brand by both Zegna and Reliance, while for Rathore it represents another milestone in his career that could help turn him into a designer name recognized worldwide.
Rathore is well-known in the luxury men’s space in India for his tailoring and interpretation of the traditional men’s formalwear bandhgala, breeches and tapered waist coats — with a focus on both sophistication and style. (A bandhgala, which is said to have originated from Jodhpur, is part of Indian formalwear with its high collar, front buttons, and formfitting style.) Designers — many of whom are strongly independent and resist any steering by investors — are interested to see how the growth of his brand pans out with the new investors.
Rathore currently sells his Jodhpur brand in seven stores in India and also has a lower priced line, Imperial India Company. But it is the luxury aspect that the Zegna-Reliance brands’ investment will fuel, focusing on the fast-growing

Chinatown Market has jumped into the musician merchandise category.
The Los Angeles-based streetwear brand also runs a consulting agency and has done merchandise work for Warner Music Group and Live Nation, but this is the first time it is lending the Chinatown Market name and logo to product.
Mike Cherman, founder of Chinatown Market, said he was good friends with Josh Madden, brother to Good Charlotte’s Joel and Benji Madden, and after finding out Joel was a fan of the brand, they decided to team up.
“Growing up I was a fan of Good Charlotte,” Cherman said. “And eventually we were at a dinner and just said we have to do this. It was good to work on something this scale, and it’s something to be said for Good Charlotte. They did a BAPE collaboration and now we are reintroducing them on a whole different platform.”
The first drop from the collection includes a T-shirt, hoodie and stickers that retail in different packages ranging from $ 10 to $ 105. They are available to purchase on Good Charlotte’s web site. Good Charlotte will release its seventh studio album, “Generation Rx,” on Sept. 14 and will go on a North American tour this fall. Cherman said this will

THAT EIGHTIES SHOW: Gucci launched its Gucci-Dapper Dan collection on gucci.com and a selection of its stores globally on Tuesday.
To celebrate the collaboration and expansive lineup, the Italian fashion house tapped photographer Ari Marcopoulos to lens the collection, in a range of images paying homage to the Harlem designer’s heritage.
Inspired by archival imagery from the Eighties portraying Dapper Dan’s custom pieces, the pictures feature both young types from the neighborhood and models sporting the collection in and around the streets of Harlem, posing in a vintage car, in front of graffiti or against a wrought-iron railing.

Gucci-Dapper Dan collection.
Ari Marcopoulos

In particular, the Gucci-Dapper Dan lineup reimagines archival pieces of the designer — especially tracksuits and jacket styles — in Gucci’s signature fabrics and decorative elements. Gucci leitmotifs, including embroidered dragons, bold letterings and the house’s signature green and red stripes, stand out on bomber jackets, T-shirts and tanks, in addition to tracksuits, which are offered in GG-printed nylon and velour. A new yellow Gucci logo also makes its appearance, inspired by the original sign of Dan’s Harlem store. In addition to a large selection of accessories, thick gold chains and medallions with lion heads and the faces of bearded Greek gods

TORONTO — Harry Rosen has a lock on the Canadian men’s wear market, but that hold hasn’t come without a lot of hard work.
The company was founded in 1954 by Harry and his brother Lou Rosen in a small storefront in Toronto to provide made-to-measure suits for men. The firm has since grown into a 300 million Canadian dollar ($ 228.3 million), 18-store chain with locations in the seven largest cities around the country and some 1,000 employees.
Although Harry stepped back from the day-to-day operation of the business in 2005, he still serves as an ambassador, often stopping by one of the stores to chat with customers. But he left the company in good hands: as chief executive officer since 2000, his son Larry Rosen has built on his father’s legacy. Waiting in the wings is Ian Rosen, Larry’s son, who is joining the family business this summer to oversee its digital marketing initiatives, and at the same time, ensure the eventual transition to the next generation will be seamless.
But Harry Rosen has also branched out beyond its core business, teaming up with Ermenegildo Zegna to open flagship stores for the luxury Italian label in Canada. In August, a 3,000-square-foot Zegna

NANTUCKET, Mass. — The #MeToo moment and the push for gender parity in Hollywood has opened doors for women artists in the film and TV business in the past year, but there are concerns that the appetite for female-led stories could be a “worryingly trendy conversation.” That’s how showrunner Sera Gamble put during a panel […]

THE SEQUEL: Guess Inc.’s Guess Jeans U.S.A. revealed details of where its roving Farmers Market pop-up concept is set to go next.
The company in May launched the Farmers Market concept — a weekend-long force of exclusive streetwear drops and collaborations, skateboard demonstrations, food and live music — with Nicolai Marciano, who handles brand partnerships and specialty marketing for Guess, disclosing to WWD at the time the concept would indeed hit the road internationally, but didn’t reveal much beyond that.
Guess said Monday the concept would be a mix of pop-ups with exclusives also to be sold through some retailers this month and next. Exact dates have yet to be revealed.
The pop-up concept, which will be a scaled-down version of what was seen in Los Angeles, is set to make its way to Paris at Club 75, Selfridges in London, GR8 in Tokyo, Lessons in Perth and Dover Street Market in Singapore.
International retailers set to receive pieces from the capsule collection include Slamjam in Milan, Luisa Via Roma in Florence, Juice in Hong Kong and online via the Innersect App based out of China.
The idea for the Farmers Market was born out of Guess Jeans USA, which parent Guess calls its incubator

Gentle Monster has popped up at Dover Street Market New York.
The South Korean eyewear brand’s ephemeral boutique is mounted through June 18 on Dover Street Market’s first floor.
A limited-edition, black-and-gold version of Gentle Monster’s Cobalt style has been created to mark the occasion.
While an eyewear brand, Gentle Monster is also regarded for its innovative and experimental retailing strategies. It employs carpenters and architects full-time to execute conceptual interior design projects.
For Dover Street Market, the brand has found inspiration in the extraterrestrial. The company has dubbed its installation “Passengers,” predicated on a narrative where “a crew of extraterrestrial creatures embark on a passage through time and space in search of their next home. Collecting precious stones and flowers along the way, the crew is able to produce energy for their ship and tools.”
This manifests as wire, wood and stone sculptures that resemble the work of artist Nick Cave.
“Dover Street Market is a resting place for creation and magnitude, and our presence within the DSM New York space feels natural because of this. Our pursuit of experimental and episodic content is rooted in the in-person experience. It’s in these conceptual spaces that our creations are able to blur the divide between eyewear

FEVER PITCH: With FIFA World Cup fever building, 14 original soccer uniforms sporting the iconic Omini logo of Italian sports brand Kappa — worn by a range of legendary players since the brand opened the sports sponsorship market in Italy in 1978 — are set to go on display at the relocated Montaigne Market store in Paris on May 7.
A gallery of archive images of players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinédine Zidane and Gianluigi Buffon will illustrate the exhibition, with a spin-off capsule collaboration with the retailer to go on sale through May 26.
Also on display will be the Kappa-designed uniform of the Italian national team, including the high-tech Kappa Kombat shirt, worn on the pitch for the first time in 1999. Developed by the brand’s R&D center, the shirt features a so-called “stop stopping” system that highlights foul play for the referee.
The BasicNet-owned brand has collaborated with brands including Marcelo Burlon, Opening Ceremony, Faith Connexion and Gosha Rubchinskiy. Its Omini logo — inspired by a backlit shot of the silhouette of a boy and girl sitting back-to-back taken during a swimsuit shoot for the brand — was created in 1969.

Didi Chuxing Technology is holding discussions about a multibillion-dollar initial public offering that could happen as soon as this year, as it looks to amass a large war chest to fend off rivals in China and other countries.WSJ.com: US Business

LIMITED EDITION: Alexandre Vauthier is taking over the first floor of the recently reopened Paris concept store Montaigne Market with a private salon offering everything from a skateboard to embroidered haute couture dresses.
From April 23 to May 5, the French couturier, whose fans include Rihanna and Beyoncé, will offer a selection of his latest ready-to-wear alongside some of his most extravagant red carpet designs, including the colored metallic boots from his Studio 54-themed fall 2017 couture collection.
The skateboard is a limited edition designed with streetwear brand Anyways, featuring an image of a gold Porsche 959. The space will also sell Vauthier’s eyewear collaboration with Alain Mikli, an exclusive sweatshirt for women and men, and a selection of books from Karl Lagerfeld’s bookstore 7L.

The soundtrack of the pop-up will be designed by French electronic music producer Mirwais, best known for his collaborations with Madonna, and perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has created a special scent for the space.
After a dozen years at its original address, 57 Avenue Montaigne, Montaigne Market closed last year. After temporarily taking over a suite at the Plaza Athénée hotel, it reopened on March 2 at its new permanent address, 18 Avenue

Spotify roared onto the public market Tuesday as the music-streaming giant pulled off an unusual method of going public. The stock fell nearly $ 17 on the first day but still finished above its price in the private markets.WSJ.com: US Business

Spotify roared onto the public market Tuesday as the music-streaming giant pulled off an unusual method of going public. The stock fell nearly $ 17 on the first day but still finished above its price in the private markets.WSJ.com: WSJD

Who are the high-end players still on the market? Here are the top 10, plus more on the new benchmark set for contracts and teams that still will be looking to draft quarterbacks in April.www.espn.com – NFL

NEW YORK — The CurveNY trade show, which took place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center last week in New York, had a brand new location. As opposed to being at the far end of the venue, it was connected to Coterie, which was a welcome change for intimate apparel buyers and retailers who are attempting broaden their customer base by aligning more with ready-to-wear and offering fashion pieces.
Paul Stuart made its CurveNY debut with a line of made-to-order women’s robes that retail for $ 595. The company introduced these robes shortly after Paulette Garafalo joined as chief executive officer in the middle of 2016. The CurveNY show was their first attempt to wholesale the line, which the company said has been well received — they picked up three new stockists.
Ginia, a 40-year-old Australian sleepwear brand that started selling in the U.S. a year or so ago, is known for its silk pieces that blur the line between nightwear and ready-to-wear, but in order to appeal to more customers, they’ve introduced a silk cotton blend set of pajamas that retail for $ 255 — its silk sets are around $ 300. The brand, which is sold at retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue and

GU GOES TO GINZA: Dover Street Market Ginza will be the first store to stock the new Kim Jones collaboration with GU, the lower-priced sister brand of Uniqlo, WWD has learned. The collection will go to sale at DSM Ginza on March 19, two days before the official GU launch. According to a DSM spokesperson, the retailer will also stock exclusive items through a special installation at Ginza’s Elephant Room.

Jones revealed the collaboration, Kim Jones GU Production, via an Instagram post Wednesday and the line is inspired by the designer’s own label, which ceased operations in 2008. Jones recently left his position as men’s artistic director for Louis Vuitton and has yet to disclose future professional plans, although speculation is mounting that he might be the man to succeed Christopher Bailey at the creative helm of Burberry.
In addition to Dover Street Market Ginza, the collaboration will be available online and at select GU stores in Japan and Taiwan, and at all GU stores in Hong Kong.

DOG YEARS: Dover Street Market has unveiled a new collaborative project to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Friends and collaborators of the retailer, including streetwear label A Bathing Ape, NikeLab, Undercover, Noah and Stüssy, as well as the musician Nick Cave, came together to design limited-edition Year of the Dog-themed T-shirts.
The T-shirts feature imagery and humorous illustrations of dogs and will be sold exclusively at Dover Street Market stores worldwide, as of Friday, the first day of London Fashion Week.

A T-shirt by Dreamland Syndicate.
Courtesy Photo

Alongside the Year of the Dog project, the retailer plans to debut a series of other collaborations and in-store installations to coincide with London Fashion Week.
In celebration of London’s eclectic spirit, Charles Jeffrey will display inflatable pieces designed by Gary Card for his fall 2018 show in-store, Simone Rocha’s new jewelry range will be featured in a special display, while Gosha Rubchinskiy will be making an appearance to celebrate his eyewear collaboration with Retrosuperfuture.
Buzzy new label The Vampire’s Wife, the brainchild of musician Nick Cave’s wife Suzy, will also be launching a range of intricate charms created in collaboration with jewelry brand Annoushka.

SHANGHAI — It was a case of the venue determining the launch city of men’s wear label Common Gender rather than Shanghai’s burgeoning reputation as an international fashion hub.
When looking at locations for the label’s first fashion show, Lea Chan, vice president and marketing director of parent company EPO Fashion Group, searched for venues in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, but settled on the former after discovering West Bund Art Center. Once an old aircraft factory, the industrial space has held onto much of its raw, urban interior, which was in keeping with the brand’s Nineties Berlin-inspired pop-up shop and edgy, angular fashion show on Tuesday.
The pop-up store and fashion show were attended by key Chinese influencers and business partners of the brand and featured a cast of international and local male models purposefully storming down the catwalk with a performance by American twin brother electro punk rock band The Garden.
EPO Fashion Group, parent company of women’s wear brands Mo & Co. and Edition 10; cosmetics brand REC, and children’s wear label Little Mo & Co. posted group sales of 3.5 billion yuan in 2017, or $ 555 million. Common Gender’s launch marks the Chinese company’s move into the domestic men’s wear market.

Investors expect the humming economy to translate into an uptick in profits for trucking companies when they report earnings over the next couple of weeks. But carriers can’t add capacity fast enough to take advantage of the flood of new business.WSJ.com: US Business

HOLIDAY INSTALLATIONS: With Christmas approaching, Dover Street Market hosted an event to celebrate with a series of signature installations from various brands and designers, and marked Comme des Garçons’ Re/tartan Re/energy Holiday campaign launch.
London-based stylists Charlotte Stockdale and Katie Lyall, co-editors in chief of brand new magazine-cum-posterbook Chaos SixtyNine, held a “teenage bachelor bedroom” themed installation in the basement. “We wanted it to be a space where you could put up all the posters from the magazine freely. That seemed naturally to be a teenage bedroom,” said Lyall.
The space was also used to launch the Chaos Bruv Club Collection, as well as special merchandise. “The Bruv Club is like men’s suiting, racer graphics, a bit skate and a bit gentleman,” said Stockdale. “It’s a nice mix of the two. Bruv Club to us is all-inclusive: boys, girls, anyone up for a bit of fun.”
While the second issue of the biannual title won’t be out until at least May of next year, Charlotte and Katie have collaborations up their sleeves — the first of which will be with Hayden Kays, a British artist influenced by Fifties pop art. It will include custom graphics printed onto Chaos phone cases. They will be available

DO IT YOURSELF: Balenciaga is bringing its copy shop concept to London’s Dover Street Market.
The personalized T-shirt printing service, first unveiled during its takeover of Paris concept store Colette last summer, will be installed in the store from Nov. 30 to Dec. 17, the brand said.
Touch screens will allow customers to create their own designs, using a selection of Balenciaga logos and graphics, to be printed instantly. The T-shirts will be available in black, white, gray and red, in two sizes for men and women, and will feature the mention “Balenciaga Do It Yourself Ts” on the back.
The project is an offshoot of Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia’s men’s wear show for fall exploring the corporate world, with items including sweatshirts bearing the slogan of the brand’s parent company Kering.
To mark the inauguration of the copy shop on Nov. 30, Balenciaga will offer an exclusive colorway of its Triple S sneaker in all Dover Street Market stores worldwide. The London installation will also feature a sculpture by Mark Jenkins and video screens.

MCM continues to ramp up its presence in the U.S. The Seoul-based, German-born accessories label has launched a holiday video campaign geared at young consumers.
The party scene campaign, called “The Give & Get Down,” features model and activist Barbie Ferreira, dance duo Les Twins and singer Kacy Hill, amongst others.
MCM America’s vice president of marketing and communications Rita Shukhman said of the endeavor: “Celebrating diversity, unity and friendship during this holiday season, we wanted to create a festive and lighthearted video that embodies a genuine sense of fun and giving amongst friends. With this campaign video, MCM tells its new school luxury story through fresh and playful self-expression. The music is upbeat, the crowd is cool, the gifts are chic and we learn in the end the best gift to give for the holidays is always the gift of good vibes.”
MCM, as previously reported by WWD, is expected to become a $ 1 billion brand by 2020. The company’s U.S. division, which relaunched in 2015, has crossed $ 100 million in annual sales and has risen to become the top-selling bag company at Neiman Marcus. The U.S. market is a key focus for the brand’s 2018 fiscal year.

CRYSTAL POP-UP: Swarovski will open the #crystalsfromSwarovski pop-up shop from Dec. 4 through Dec. 10 at the Chelsea Market in New York.
A curated array of holiday jewelry, accessories, decor, lighting and tech, adorned with Swarovski crystals, will be available from a host of designers. Brands will include Alex and Ani, Beachwaver, Capezio, Caroline Néron, Coach Watches, Crystamas, Hickies, Inge Christopher, Jimmy Crystal New York, Judith Leiber Couture, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste, Oscar de la Renta, Senhoa, S’well, St. John, Tord Boontje for Swarovski and Zac Zac Posen.
“We are excited to showcase our creative partners and their sparkling designs with Swarovski crystals in a new context,” said Alexander Wellhoefer, senior vice president of Swarovski North America. “The retail concept in the heart of New York provides the platform to do just that. The pop-up will be a premier holiday shopping destination featuring a curated selection of exclusive and unique gifts by extraordinary brands and talent.”
Some of the items, including Alex and Ani bracelets, Inge Christopher clutches and S’well bottles, include a donation of a percentage of proceeds or purchase price going to nonprofit or charity organizations.
Swarovski will host a series of activations at the pop-up throughout the week.

Boutique denim brand Unpublished Denim has largely flown under the radar since its first collection debuted for spring — but its founders expect that to change.
The Los Angeles denim company boasts a contemporary aesthetic at competitive pricing around the $ 60 to $ 80 range. Its sophisticated looks — dark washes, high waistlines and wide legs — have helped get its foot in about 200 doors so far throughout the U.S., including Lord & Taylor. It’s now working with distributors in Canada and Germany and is in talks with another in Japan with the aim of rolling out internationally for spring.
“There’s a lot of vintage inspiration in the line and definitely authentic approaches to washes,” said cofounder Ya-el Torbati. “For me, the key is you really have nothing without amazing fit and amazing fabric quality.”
Unpublished is for the customer with a more creative spirit, the creative director added, with a “wear what you want” approach to dressing that’s not swayed by brand names.
That’s translated in the current fall collection via released hems, patchwork, cropped wide-leg pants, chambray, overalls and high-waisted flare and skinny-leg denim. The pieces are designed in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights, located east of downtown, and then made overseas.
Torbati

With Brexit looming and the potential loss of commerce with other European nations, the U.K. fashion and textile industry is increasing its focus on the American market.
At the men’s trade shows in New York this week, nearly 50 designers and manufacturers of men’s wear brought their wares to the city. Among the brands showing at Project, MRket, Capsule, Liberty Fairs and Man under the tag line “Brits in New York” were Alan Paine, Austin Reed, Barbour, Edward Green, Ettinger, John Smedley, French Connection, Trickers, Derek Rose, Ted Baker London, Troubadour and Richard James.
Paul Alger, director of international business development for the U.K. Fashion & Textile Association, said, “If Brexit happens, we need to make sure we replace the business we’ll lose in continental Europe with other markets. And the U.S. is tops on that list.”
As a result, the UKFT provides grants of 1,200 pounds for brands to show internationally up to six times.
In addition to the U.S., the grants are available to manufacturers showing at Pitti Uomo in Florence, where Alger said 100 U.K. brands were represented at the latest edition in June, as well as at shows in Paris; Lyon, France; Shanghai, and Berlin.
Although the UKFT doesn’t have the

QUIZ POPS: Quiz, the U.K. fast-fashion retailer that specializes in dresses and occasion wear at value prices, is set to list on London’s AIM market on July 28.
The company, an omnichannel retailer, has a placing price of 1.61 pounds per share that will translate into a market capitalization of 200 million pounds on the day of admission.
The placing is expected to raise 102.7 million pounds of gross proceeds, of which 10.6 million pounds has been earmarked for the company to accelerate growth. Existing shareholders and directors will hold a 48.8 percent stake in the listed entity.
The brand was founded in 1993 in Glasgow, Scotland, and employs about 1,350 people in the U.K. and Ireland. It sells via its web site, apps and through 73 stand-alone stores and 165 concessions in the U.K. and Ireland.
Products on the site include a black and nude sequined mesh maxidress for 99.99 pounds, a red frill tunic dress for 26.99 pounds and a white “Bardot” crochet trim top for 17.99 pounds. It also sells shoes, accessories and a plus-size range.
The company said it aims to offer “all the latest trends at value for money prices,” and describes its target audience as fashion-conscious women of all ages.
Internationally, Quiz

Universal Music Group announced on Tuesday that Adam Granite has been appointed Executive Vice President, Market Development, reporting to chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge. Granite’s appointment is effective September 1, 2017 and he will be based in London. According to a release, Granite’s responsibilites will include working closely with UMG’s senior management team and operating companies across more than 60… Read more »

Kay Unger New York, which is licensed to Group J.S. International, is undergoing a makeover.
The dress brand, which for the past year has been geared toward the bridge-designer area, is being repositioned as a better updated dress collection. The company has lowered its price points to be more competitive in the dress market.
Starting in spring 2018, retail prices will range from $ 168 to $ 395.
“We want to continue the legacy of Kay Unger,” said Cynthia Amaro, sales director. Unger stepped down from the company bearing her name in 2012 to focus on her philanthropic and creative endeavors. She isn’t involved in the dress brand.
At the time of her departure, Kay Unger New York — cofounded by Unger and Rob Feinberg in 1995 — was generating about $ 30 million in wholesale volume in its Kay Unger and Phoebe Couture collections, selling to such stores as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor, and 20 international markets. Unger’s brand, which was sold to Alex Evenings, was later sold to ACI Licensing in early 2016, which licensed Group J.S. a little over a year ago.
During her career, Unger was known for her exclusive prints and innovative color mixes, novelty fabrics,

PARIS — The mood was resilient at the recent Mode City and Interfilière intimate apparel trade shows here, reversing several years of declines in visitor numbers. Exhibitors and visitors alike were in a positive state of mind, especially as concerns the growing beachwear and ath-leisure categories.
Visitor numbers at Mode City grew 18 percent, show organizer Eurovet said, without giving numbers, with 72 percent of traffic hailing from international markets. Visitor numbers for sister fabric fair Interfilière were not disclosed. The events took place at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center from July 8-11, returning to the French capital after moving temporarily to Lyon last year because of the UEFA Euro 2016 soccer final in Paris.
“Business is performing quite well,” said Lise Charmel managing director Olivier Piquet. “The weather has been good in Europe, which is boosting the swimwear market, and even the department stores have been seeing good growth. It’s giving the market a renewed energy,” he said. Lise Charmel was seeing strong demand for its plain swimsuits with cutout motifs and its exclusive tropical prints, Piquet said.
Caroline Laplace, buying manager for lingerie at Printemps, mirrored the positive sentiment. Beachwear, she said, “is performing very well. It has been a

After 20 years of distributing its collection throughout Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Latin America, Australia and India, Selected Homme is making its first play into the U.S. market.
The brand is part of Bestseller, a privately owned Danish company that operates over 20 brands including Vero Moda, Only and Vila.
“There is a European trend of openness and we believe the U.S. market is poised for a change,” said Selected Homme’s country manager Brian Edgar.
The Selected Homme main line is divided into three separate collections. The heritage collection, which consists of casual sportswear; the indigo collection that’s made up of denim, and an “identity” assortment that offers a new take on tailored classics. Selected Homme also has a directional label called Homme Plus, which features on-trend clothes. The lines retail from $ 45 to $ 465.
“All three collections can sit together for optimal representation, or each collection can sit alone,” said Edgar.
While the collection is now available in the U.S. via its e-commerce site, Edgar is currently focused on targeting men’s specialty stores including Modern Anthology, Whiskey Ginger and J3 Clothing Company. Selected Homme operates 44 stores around the world, but has no current plans for building up a bricks-and-mortar presence in the U.S.
Edgar said

Advanced Micro Devices began selling a new generation of chips for the servers that drive computing in data centers, challenging Intel in that high-margin market for the first time in years.WSJ.com: WSJD

The FDA asked Endo Pharmaceuticals to remove its Opana ER from the market, citing links to drug abuse, in what the agency called its first effort to halt sales of an opioid pain drug.WSJ.com: US Business

A downtown Los Angeles-based apparel firm thinks it has the right formula to succeed in the customization and made-to-order space, promising all the quality of an atelier backed by proprietary 3-D software.
Frilly, which launched in 2014, and has been refining its business model and building its technology, recently emerged out of beta with an online store offering customizable product to shoppers.
The opening price is about $ 60 and goes up to around $ 2,000 to be able to take the company’s stock of chic separates and tailor the necklines, sleeves, fabric and on down to the hardware used in the garment.
The company was founded by chief executive officer Shangwei Ding and chief marketing officer Jeni Ni and is entirely self-funded. It counts 24 employees in Los Angeles with a factory in China of about 80 and a software team of another 80. Tailors in China produce each garment, which goes through three rounds of quality control before being shipped to consumers within two to three weeks from the order date.
“We really want to bring the control back to the customer,” Ni said. “The age of personalization is upon us and we are bringing it to the customer in a way that hasn’t

MOSCOW — The building that will house the future, larger Kuznetskiy Most 20 store here was last week wrapped in a giant orange banner declaring “стиль” — the Russian word for style.
It’s also a subbrand of Heron Preston, feted here in grand manner by KM20 owner Olga Karput. She also wrangled Off-White’s Virgil Abloh for an event that reflected feverish interest in American designers and the burgeoning luxury streetwear category they represent.
The trendy crowd, mostly men wearing the latest urban labels and collectible sneakers, shattered the stereotype that Russian men are indifferent to trends — and possibly signaled a light at the end of the tunnel for a country that has been mired in the retail doldrums.
“I think style is universal and fashion is small,” mused Preston, whose fall collection was showcased in a pop-up boutique in the raw space, decked out with vodka bars, a DJ booth — and a full-sized bulldozer — for the occasion. “The common thinking is that if you are not into fashion, you are not into style. But style is not only about clothes. It could also be how you ride a bike. My logo was picked because everyone can be connected with style without being in fashion.”
The tensions that have

RETAIL REINVENTION: Project Womens is on board with the lifestyle trend at retail, with a new concept set to debut on its show floor in August focused on home and giftable items.
The Coeur x Project Womens space is set to feature items from between 20 and 30 brands focused around apothecary, home, tech accessories and giftable items.
“We really feel that the retailers are looking for an added value for some lifestyle and gift items so Coeur was the perfect partner for us to launch this new concept area,” saidProject Womens vice president Kelly Helfman. “It’s just really where retail’s looking right now to add that sort of product to their everyday retail apparel stores, and so we listened to our buyers that are walking our show.”
Capri Blue, Lux/Eros, Los Poblanos and Esselle are among the brands confirmed to show in this new space.
A special buildout in the center of this marketplace, which will total about 3,000 square feet, will show retailers how the product can be incorporated in with their ready-to-wear and accessories within stores.
“It’s really a lot of point-of-purchase items, but I think it’s more about not just carrying these sorts of items near the register,” Helfman said.
The new

While sales of pricey light trucks amid a sustained run of cheap fuel may be good for Detroit’s bottom line, the collapse in demand for smaller vehicles has led to job cuts elsewhere.WSJ.com: US Business

From farms to pushcarts to markets to the kitchen table, Brooklyn’s culinary and cultural environment is constantly changing. This Cultural and Market Tour will give you an insider’s perspective.Once known for its pickles and kosher meat, East Williamsburg, Brooklyn now serves up herbal teas from Mexico, the sounds of salsa music, and traditional foods and products from various Latin American countries.You will explore the history of Brooklyn’s “Avenue of Puerto Rico,” an area that was once the heart of a Jewish community and is today at the center of the Spanish-speaking community.You will get an insider’s look at the Moore Street Market that was built in 1941 to mark the end of the pushcart era and continues to be an important institution to the neighborhood today. Enjoy meeting the vendors, sampling their delicious foods and beverages, and learn about Ecuadorian, Mexican, Dominican and Puerto Rican dishes.The tour will also make a stop at Anibal Meats Market where you will learn about the history of butcher shops along Moore Street.This cultural and culinary tour tells the story of Brooklyn’s layered ethnic history through its food so bring your appetite and have fun discovering how today’s Brooklyn came to be.
List Price: $ 48.00Price: $ 48.00

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2011 in the subject Business economics – Trade and Distribution, grade: A, University of Kent, language: English, abstract: This study examines the international business strategies adopted by Tesco for its expansion and development is South Korea. Tesco is a global brand and a world leader in the retail food industry. Using qualitative secondary information, this dissertation presents a market analysis and discusses the FDI policies of the target market to analyze the external factors contributing to the expansion of the company. The findings suggest that the expanding retails sector and the favourable government policies led to the expansion of Tesco in South Korea. Tesco was well suited for its expansion because of the firm’s internal resources including size, experience and expertise. The dissertation concludes that the multi-national or multidomestic approach adopted by the company was underlying success factor that contributed towards the success of Tesco in South Korea. Its multi-domestic or multinational corporate structure and strategy is clearly reflected through its market entry, leadership, business strategies and its growth and expansion strategy. The dissertation also highlights several initiatives undertaken by the company since 2008 that lead to exemplary success and compares it with its competitors’ unsuccessful strategy.

MILAN — Italian footwear company Geox, known for its trademarked “breathable” shoes, has inked a distribution agreement with Pou Sheng International, one of the leading retailers in the Chinese sportswear market, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The agreement comprises the exclusive distribution of the brand’s adult collections, as well as the opening of 350 new stores, both monobrand and shops-in-shop, in the first five years.
“I am very satisfied with this strategic agreement aimed at developing properly our brand distribution in China where, in our directly operated stores in Shanghai and Beijing, Geox has already demonstrated to have strong potential,” said Mario Moretti Polegato, chairman and founder of the brand.

CUSTOM APPROACH: South Coast Plaza is showing some love to the male shopper.
The Orange County shopping center this evening will host a private event at the Berluti store to celebrate South Coast’s first men’s fall marketing book.
It’s a strategic move for the center as more chatter builds around men’s and the HENRYs consumer — high-earnings, not rich yet shoppers — or male Millennials.
“With the international growth in the men’s wear category, we wanted to shine the spotlight on our unparalleled collection of men’s boutiques, which represent some of the world’s most coveted names, from fashion-forward brands to esteemed sartorial leaders,” said South Coast executive director of marketing Debra Gunn Downing in a statement.
The book includes looks from Berluti, Boss, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Oliver Peoples and Ralph Lauren.
South Coast counts more than 70 boutiques that sell men’s apparel or accessories and both new and existing tenants have taken more notice of the male customer.
COS, expected to open in October, and Massimo Dutti, slated for a November opening, will both carry men’s.
Roberto Cavalli relocated this year and added men’s when it reopened its doors. Dolce & Gabbana opened at South Coast Plaza, also earlier this

Used – The global financial crisis has led to a sweeping reevaluation of financial market regulation and macroeconomic policies. Emerging markets need to balance the goals of financial development and broader financial inclusion with the imperative of strengthening macroeconomic and financial stability. The third in a series on emerging markets, “New Paradigms for Financial Regulation” develops new analytical frameworks and provides policy prescriptions for how the frameworks should be adapted t

Yael Sonia has built a strong following for her architectural fine jewelry that’s handmade in São Paulo. Now the designer is entering men’s and putting a darker spin on her core aesthetic.
“I had a lot of clients ask me about men’s jewelry and I even made some pieces for male clients in Brazil, so I thought it was time,” said Sonia, who recently closed her Madison Avenue store to open a 1,400-square-foot showroom and design workshop in SoHo.
The men’s collection includes cuff links, rings, pendant necklaces, bracelets and stud earrings made from metal, black diamonds, Tahitian pearls, smoky quartz and onyx. The gold range will retail from $ 425 to $ 14,500 while the silver collection will be priced from $ 325 to $ 1,150.
According to Sonia, this launch also signifies a bigger push into wholesale. The men’s collection will be sold at Odin in late September and Sonia is currently meeting with retailers for the women’s line.
The designer will also add eight to 10 additional stockkeeping units for men’s next season and introduce leather into the assortment.
RELATED CONTENT: The Best of Resort 2016 Accessories >>

Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger (Mass Market) : Hardback: Perfection Learning: 9780756959807: 01 Jun 1998: The biggest surprise at Wayside School is that Mrs. Jewls is going to have a baby. The kids are helping her select names, such as Cootie Face if it’s a girl and Bucket Head if it’s a boy. But now Mrs. Jewls’s class is going to have a substitute teacher. And if you know anything about Wayside School, you’ll know that you can expect anything to happen!

I’ve spent the better part of 30 years in sales and marketing and actually own a marketing company. Yet, I find myself annoyed by commercials and blatant brand marketing campaigns. Perhaps being an insider in the game of marketing has tainted my objectivity and sense of appreciation for the cleverness of it all. But in the end, I fast-forward through commercials on my DVR and find product placements in TV shows and movies to be a bit tacky. I have often asked myself if I have ever really been influenced to make a purchase based on advertising.

The simple answer has to be, “Yes”.

My subconscious awareness of a brand or product puzzles me. I’ve responded to discounts or low price offers in advertisements when it involves a product I’m already interested in buying, usually a commodity like food. But if I’m not already looking for or seeking a product or service, advertising just glosses right past me. At least that’s what I rationalize.

Having said that, I do appreciate clever creative advertising. Watching the Super Bowl for the best commercials is like a holiday event. So I can admit that I am at least marginally affected by advertising.

In the entertainment business, it’s all about advertising and promotion. In fact, the industry doesn’t exist or renew apart from P & A (promotion and advertising).

An artist, actor, model, or perhaps anyone in the public eye will typically need to manage their brand and image with the public and industry. It’s part of the process. It just is.

When I consider all the ways advertisers use to promote their product, service or cause, I am overwhelmed by the conditioning we, a free market society, have been subjected to over the past 100 years or so. Think about it. Nearly everything we experience each day has some promotion or advertising connected with it. Even the most human characteristic has a form of promotion. The outfit we choose to wear, how we do our hair, the personal hygiene products we use are all simply ways we tell the world who we are in the most basic way.

In the music industry, everything an artist does, says, looks like, sounds like, etc. is a direct or indirect form of advertising. The exception being that in the entertainment industry, it is advertising on steroids. It is an industry based on the senses and emotion. Promoting an artist involves engaging the potential consumer with a sensual or intellectual appeal. Guys like me in marketing understand this nuance and we do our best to enter the psyche of the targeted consumer to create a campaign that will attract them to the product, service or cause we assist promoting.

The hardest part of advertising is knowing how to calculate investment of funds and other resources (like time, creativity, etc) versus the measurement of the payback. For business newbies, the term is called ROI, Return On Investment. The magic or silver bullet in marketing is to find the best ROI campaign.

Measuring ROI in the music business can be difficult. Some would look for direct financial returns as the best measurement. Record labels, especially, are concerned about ROI because they function more like a bank now than in the past. They are looking for their investment to make a return in literal revenues. But as a new artist trying to make your way, some marketing investments won’t have a financial ROI, but more of a branding ROI. What this means is that you are investing in spreading your name, talent and creativity to as many people as possible. You’re selling yourself, not just your CD or downloadable music, or concert tickets, or merchandise. A branding campaign is likely the most expensive and most difficult one of all because it doesn’t have a direct measurable ROI at first.

There have been many gigs, media interviews, songs, TV appearances, or just meet and greets that Spencer Kane (my 18 year old artist / actor son) has done the past three years that give him public visibility, but there has been no financial upside in the short term. It’s all been part of the branding campaign. Even having a sponsor for shoes and clothes has often been simply a branding campaign for the sponsor and Spencer at the same time. There’s no real financial upside to it.

One of the more frustrating parts of P&A in the music business involves touring and live events. There’s not really an easy formula for how to fill seats at a venue when you’re just starting out. There’s the whole friends and family angle when you’re just an infant in the process, but that gets old. Promoting your music and brand well enough to get a consumer to pay for a ticket to see you live is simply difficult. There’s no short cut, no secret method. There’s always co-branding where you attach yourself to an existing product or brand that the public already knows (think being an opener for a major headliner), but even that can cost money for a new artist (pay-to-play).

Refining your approach to marketing in the music industry is an ever evolving process. What works for one season, may not work the next. Redefining your image and brand may involve new music styles, new wardrobe or appearance, or even migrating to a different area in the entertainment business. Madonna has always inspired me regarding her ability to reinvent herself for different seasons and audiences. She is still Madonna, but somehow creates a new sound, image, or controversy to get the public to pay attention. Miley Cyrus does it all the time. It’s the nature of the industry.

People’s attention span, especially teens, only lasts so long. The “flavor of the day” mindset is very realistic for younger audiences. However, once they attach their emotions to that flavor, it stays with them for years. I recall my personal emotional tie to songs and bands from my youth. That is why the entertainment industry is so built around youth. It’s the ability to connect emotionally and sensually with your audience that creates business. This is fact.

So here’s a few quick tips about how to market yourself and measure the ROI to some degree.

1) PERFORM LIVE OFTEN

Sadly, with the advent of the internet age, artists think churning out mix-tapes or youtube videos is going to give them their big break. They offer free music for download in an effort to build their brand. While offering “samples” of the product is smart, giving away your product long-term just looks desparate. It creates the image that you don’t value your brand. Beyond that, it’s eventually costing a lot of resources that could be spent elsewhere. Once an artist has a lot of product built up, they need to focus on giving the public a live experience of the product. This is important because it does many things for your career. It helps you learn how to respond to audiences, but also allows audiences to experience more than just the music of an artist. It’s a way to build an emotional connection that is deeper than the melody or lyrics. You’re investing in your brand and building fans that will ultimately pay for your music. Sadly, social media fans don’t easily convert to buyers of your product because they have been trained to expect everything for free. When you’re trying to build a career and earn a living, free doesn’t cut it. So taking every opportunity to perform will eventually create an ROI of product sales in merch at the event or new music you release later on. Performing live may involve a lot of free shows, non-paying gigs, travel expenses, and even some pay-to-play performances. The investment may be costly up front, but it will pay off down the road in revenues.

2) SOCIAL MEDIA

Not to contradict myself, but social media does have a ROI. The investment is the babysitting of posting and upload of content, responding to fans and engaging with them, and the managing of multiple platforms and software. Hiring a social media manager may escalate the ROI, but also may cost you finances to do. The viral effects of social media are proven when the right content or post is made available. But it is important to know that it is more a marketing tool of necessity than one of financial return. It builds a long-term snapshot of the artist and their life, which will give new converts a chance to get to know the artist and their music in short order. The ROI is usually the initial exposure of your music to new fans who may eventually come see you in concert or pay for your music.

3) IMAGING

Please take the time to hire a professional photographer, graphic designer, web developer, producer for music, etc. Many artists fail to realize that their image goes beyond the music they create. It is their wardrobe, the photos they post online, the album artwork, the press photos they furnish, the music videos they create, and even their merch booth display. For a few hundred dollars, for example, you can create a very visually stimulating merch booth at a live venue. It will easily impress fans and even industry folks who attend that you’re serious about your career. Many think spending $ 100 on home printed paper CD label will save them money, but it may be costing them. Take the same $ 100 and spend it on a 5 or 8 foot banner. That visual will attract people to stop by your booth. This is especially true when performing at a large festival where you’re not alone as an artist. A good photographer can be found about anywhere nowadays. Camera gear is relatively inexpensive. Even phones have great cameras. It’s the little things you do with your image in marketing materials that make a good ROI.

4) CO-BRANDING

I mentioned this before, but any chance you get to be a feature on an established artist’s project, or have them featured on yours is brilliant marketing. Appearing at an event with an established brand is also important. This may seem basic, but it is important. The real challenge is that established artists don’t like having parasites around. They don’t want to use their fame and popularity to give you a freebie. Most will want some investment from you in exchange. Don’t be offended. They have spent years and resources building their brand. Imagine being a wannabe chef and asking a national restaurant if you can offer your gourmet recipe to their clients and potentially taking away orders from their own menu. This is the reality of co-branding. It costs money most times but the ROI can be instant popularity. Just listen to radio. Rihanna has done something no other artist has done in history. She has more number one songs on Billboard than anyone. She hasn’t done so alone, she has co-branded the majority of them by being featured or having a proven artist featured on her project. It has created a successful business ROI for her career.

5) PRESS RELEASE

It may seem trivial, but the power of a press release as it relates to marketing is very important. Having media tell your pre-planned news story can be very helpful. Writing a press release properly is very important and paying someone to do that can make a difference in first impressions with the media. You may not have the ability to craft words together or may think you’re a lyrical assassin with words, but having a professional press release writer tell your story is an important investment. Many can also help distribute the press release to the right outlets to cover your story. Sadly, the local newspaper only builds local awareness, and in the music industry, you need to have a regional impact to build serious momentum. The ROI isn’t an immediate financial one in most cases, but more of a brand awareness and can really build strong alliances with media outlets that will likely want to follow your progress over time.

Even though marketing (P&A) is essential, be careful not to get caught up in investing so much in P&A that you lose sight of measuring the ROI. At some point you will look at your bank account and music sales and scratch your head wondering why it isn’t what you expected. Being careful in your investment of P&A and deliberate about measuring the ROI along the way will help you prevent going bankrupt in resources or emotion. The other balance to this is to avoid believing your own P&A and ignoring the reality that your brand or music may just not be desirable by the masses and it may be time to pack it in and focus on another way to earn a living. Sad reality, but one that can save you and those around you some frustration.

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This report was created for strategic planners, international executives and import/export managers who are concerned with the market for base metal imitation jewelry. With the globalization of this market, managers can no longer be contented with a local view. Nor can managers be contented with out-of-date statistics that appear several years after the fact. I have developed a methodology, based on macroeconomic and trade models, to estimate the market for base metal imitation jewelry for those countries serving the world market via exports or supplying from various countries via imports. I do so for the current year based on a variety of key historical indicators and econometric models. On the demand side, exporters and strategic planners approaching the world market face a number of questions. Which countries are supplying base metal imitation jewelry? What is the dollar value of these imports? How much do the imports of base metal imitation jewelry vary from one country to another? Do exporters serving the world market have similar market shares across the importing countries? Which countries supply the most exports of base metal imitation jewelry? Which countries are buying their exports? What is the value of these exports and which countries are the largest buyers?

This report was created for strategic planners, international executives and import/export managers who are concerned with the market for articles of goldsmiths’ or silversmiths’ wares made of precious metal or clad with precious metal and parts thereof excluding jewelry and watch cases. With the globalization of this market, managers can no longer be contented with a local view. Nor can managers be contented with out-of-date statistics that appear several years after the fact. I have developed a methodology, based on macroeconomic and trade models, to estimate the market for articles of goldsmiths’ or silversmiths’ wares made of precious metal or clad with precious metal and parts thereof excluding jewelry and watch cases for those countries serving the world market via exports or supplying from various countries via imports. I do so for the current year based on a variety of key historical indicators and econometric models. On the demand side, exporters and strategic planners approaching the world market face a number of questions. Which countries are supplying articles of goldsmiths’ or silversmiths’ wares made of precious metal or clad with precious metal and parts thereof excluding jewelry and watch cases? What is the dollar value of these imports? How much do the imports of articles of goldsmiths’ or silversmiths’ wares made of precious metal or clad with precious metal and parts thereof excluding jewelry and watch cases vary from one country to another? Do exporters serving the world market have similar market shares across the importing countries? Which countries supply the most exports of articles of goldsmiths’ or silversmiths’ wares made of precious metal or clad with precious metal and parts thereof excluding jewelry and watch cases? Which countries are buying their exports? What is the value of these exports and which countries are the largest buyers?

Used – What does free market environmentalism have to say about Love Canal, Cleveland’s burning Cuyahogo River, golf course pollution, EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory Requirement, nonpoint source pollution and river basin associations? In this revealing book Bruce Yandle has compiled eleven essays that address these concerns and provide the reader with an in-depth, market-based analysis of evolving environmental institutions and regulations. This book is essential reading for students and scholars

Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual is bursting on the collectibles scene in an exciting new format. For the first time ever it will be presented as a paperback book. Think of how much easier that will be to carry along on your flea market and garage sale trips. And if that isn’t enough (and it isn t), the seventeenth edition is in full color! Who says you can’t take the best and make it better? We have kept your favorite parts of the book: the editors tips on successful bargain hunting and holding your own garage sales; hundreds of categories, including many brand new ones, with new listings and updated prices; and the directories of contributors, auction houses, and clubs and newsletters. Be sure to check out our new style. Electronic Book (e-Book) Policy: Purchaser of this e-Book may not sell, rent, lease, transfer, lend or share the e-Book. Digital download of this e-book is offered in a PDF format and is best viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Take your Yogibo addiction on-the-go with the YogiCase messenger bag. This product fully protects your expensive and fragile tablet from scratches; scrapes and shattering with the same Yogibo materials you know and love from other products. The YogiCase is the perfect accessory for any college student looking to protect their tablet; and look stylish too! The YogiCase is made from the same stretchy cotton-lycra blend as the indoor lounge bags; perfect for comfort and convenience. Each YogiCase is completed with an extra layer of foam between the cover and your tablet to protect it from damage. Fits all iPad and tablet models up to 13.5 diagonal. * Fits all tablet models; including iPads up to 13.5” diagonal * Smaller 7” screen tablets will lay on bottom of case sideways * Wash by hand or machine wash with lukewarm water; hang dry * Adjustable high quality buckles and straps for personalization and sizing
List Price: $ 19.00Price: $ 19.00

Take your Yogibo addiction on-the-go with the YogiCase messenger bag. This product fully protects your expensive and fragile tablet from scratches; scrapes and shattering with the same Yogibo materials you know and love from other products. The YogiCase is the perfect accessory for any college student looking to protect their tablet; and look stylish too! The YogiCase is made from the same stretchy cotton-lycra blend as the indoor lounge bags; perfect for comfort and convenience. Each YogiCase is completed with an extra layer of foam between the cover and your tablet to protect it from damage. Fits all iPad and tablet models up to 13.5 diagonal. * Fits all tablet models; including iPads up to 13.5” diagonal * Smaller 7” screen tablets will lay on bottom of case sideways * Wash by hand or machine wash with lukewarm water; hang dry * Adjustable high quality buckles and straps for personalization and sizing
List Price: $ 19.00Price: $ 19.00

The Tangle Photo Frame is perfect for keeping all your two and four-legged friends nearby. With room for up to 14 images; youll always be able to look your loved ones in the eye! Or if you prefer; save a few spots for birthday and holiday cards. Seven wire cables are suspended in fixed positions from a 24-inch-long nickel-finish metal bar that mounts to the wall. Fourteen metal clips; arranged in staggered rows of two; three and four; hold a variety of items securely without damaging them. For best results; use with items up to 4 x 6-inch in size. Unit measures 24 x 24-inch overall.
List Price: $ 29.95Price: $ 29.95

Controversial device had been used for minimally invasive hysterectomies, uterine fibroid removalhealthfinder.gov Daily News
SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN!-http://www.acrx.org -As millions of Americans strive to deal with the economic downturn,loss of jobs,foreclosures,high cost of gas,and the rising cost of prescription drug cost. Charles Myrick ,the President of American Consultants Rx, announced the re-release of the American Consultants Rx community service project which consist of millions of free discount prescription cards being donated to thousands of not for profits,hospitals,schools,churches,etc. in an effort to assist the uninsured,under insured,and seniors deal with the high cost of prescription drugs.-American Consultants Rx -Pharmacy Discount Network News-
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Everything You Need to Find Buyers for Your Photos Thousands of successful photographers have trusted “Photographer’s Market” as a resource for growing their businesses. This edition contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date market contacts for working photographers today: magazines, book publishers, greeting card companies, stock agencies, advertising firms, contests and more. In addition to the more than 1,500 individually verified contacts, the “2013 Photographer’s Market” includes: A FREE 1-year subscription to ArtistMarketOnline.com, where you can search industry contacts, track your submissions, get the latest photography news and much more (Note: free subscription comes with print version “only”) Up-to-date information on how to start and run a photography business, including how to find clients, who to contact to submit your photos, what types of photos they need and how to submit both digital and film images Markets for fine art photographers, including hundreds of galleries and art fairs NEW Informative articles on strategic planning, marketing, applying for grants and talking about money NEW Special features on writing for photographers, maintaining and showcasing work, hanging a solo show and achieving work-life balance NEW Inspiring and informative interviews with successful professionals, including commercial, wedding, family, AP and aerial photographers

The ‘politics of provisions’ – forceful negotiations over sustenance – has created surprising contests in world history, particularly in times of market transition. In England a ‘politics of provisions’ evolved in a dialogue between popular riots and paternalist subsistence policies from Tudor dearths to the Victorian embrace of free-market doctrines. Hence provision politics was a core ingredient of both state-formation and of the emergence of the first market economy and society in England. This book is the first full-scale critical revision of E.P. Thompson’s seminal model of the ‘moral economy of the crowd’, which has had huge influence across the social sciences. It is the first synthesis of the many dispersed studies of three centuries of marketing and negotiations by riot over subsistence. By explaining such long-term shifts in patterns of political negotiation from parish-pump to Privy Council, this study offers a new view of why food riots were a more compelling and lasting bone of contention than enclosures, wages or votes.

Used – China, with the biggest internet population in the world, has during the past few years experienced a new internet phenomenon; the shopping website “Taobao.” Taobao, which literary means “searching for treasure” in Chinese, is a platform for online retailing, similar to the American website eBay. This is where millions of young Chinese meet everyday to buy and sell basically anything from clothes and electronics to travel- and webdesign services. But instead of posting random objects, the

Jil Sander’s Double Market Tote Bag is crafted in textured and supple deer skin leather with an unlined double interior to give the relaxed feel of a ‘double’ shopping bag. Featuring cut out ‘handles’ both inside and out and a detachable black shoulder strap so the bag can be carried three different ways.

This offer arrived in the mail the other day from Playboy‘s Market Research Department:

Dear Domenick Scudera,

To attract readers with preferred demographics, you have been selected to receive this courtesy. As a special incentive, the price is reduced down as low as we are allowed, giving you a full year of Playboy for a token $ 12.

A sampling of my friends’ responses:

“I hear the articles are good.”

“Wasn’t this on your wedding registry?”

“I think the label has a misprint — it should read ‘…to a token,12.'”

“Oh, c’mon. Everyone knows gay men love women.”

“Did u forget to tell us something?”

Gay acceptance has reached new heights if 49-year-old, recently married gay men are one of Playboy‘s “preferred demographics.” I feel blessed that Playboy has extended me this courtesy, one that I never would have received back in the days when gays were being denied equality.

The offer says that I will get the “beyond-beautiful women, obviously.” In addition, they believe that I will “appreciate the award-winning journalism and no-holds-barred interviews” in every “smoking hot issue.” The fine print includes this guarantee: “Playboy always guarantees that if you are ever dissatisfied for any reason whatsoever you get a full refund on all unmailed issues.”

Dear Playboy,

I am somewhat dissatisfied with my subscription. Don’t get me wrong. There is a lot to admire in your magazine: The articles and interviews are terrific, and the women are, obviously, beyond beautiful. However, I would enjoy more male nudity in my magazines. Please refund me the amount of my unmailed issues, until you are prepared to give me some smoking-hot maleness.

Thanks,
Domenick

This is not the first time I have received an offer for heterosexual porn. When I was 7 years old, I innocently opened up a plain, white envelope addressed to me. There was a series of pictures of naked women with their legs spread wide, and before I knew what was happening, my mother leaped across the room, wrestled the envelope out of my hands and appeared to have some trouble breathing. The next thing I knew, she was on the phone, complaining to someone, trying to make sure I never received offers like this again. Who did she call? The Post Office? The Better Business Bureau? President Nixon? I have no idea, but whoever it was, she was ineffective. I received more offers for years. She carefully monitored my mail until I was well into my college years.

Were 7-year-old gay boys one of the “preferred demographics” for Screw?

Most likely, these marketing departments have misidentified me. This is a problem I encounter often. For instance, when I watch television, the advertisers assume that I am a heavyset, single female on her period. I gather this from the fact that most of the commercials are for weight-loss supplements, dating sites and tampons.

About an hour after I received the Playboy offer, a pleasant young woman knocked on our front door with an offer for educational books for our children. When I explained that we have dogs, not kids, she showed me the books anyway. Did I know that flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp, and that they would be white if they did not? No, I did not. This is educational, but my nonexistent children will not learn this, because I did not order any of the books.

Am I missing out? There might be other interesting factoids in those books, and Playboy‘s “no-holds-barred interviews” might offer some insights. But for now, I think I will hold on to my gay dollars for another day.Comedy – The Huffington Post
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS-Visit Mobile Playboy today for the hottest adult entertainment online!

Used – This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third International IFIP/GI Working Conference on Trends Towards a Universal Service Market, USM 2000, held in Munich, Germany in September 2000. The 28 revised full papers presented together with three invited papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on electronic auctions and trading, Internet-based service markets, quality of service, mobile and distributed s

Shopping for a man''s suit? Walk into a department store, and they''re right by the door?men''s suits in every color and size. A guy gets in and out in plenty of time for kick-off. Need a woman''s suit? Block out the afternoon?her clothing is strategically placed in the farthest corner of the store, past the handbags (on sale!), behind the lingerie, and through the jewelry section. Men and women are wired to shop and buy differently, and smart business people not only know it, they know just how to put it to use every day.
In The X and Y of Buy, veteran branding, marketing, and salesperson Elizabeth Pace breaks the gender code for you to be successful, generate revenue, and market and sell more effectively.
Wow, what an awesome book! I wish it had been written earlier in my career because I definitely would have made more sales. This book is a must read for sales people in all levels of business. I''ve always said you must be a chameleon to be a successful seller when working with various types of people. The X and Y of Buy takes this a step further, revealing fascinating, successful strategies in working with men and women.
Michael Oppenheimer, Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio-Memphis

Reading Elizabeth Pace''s The X and Y of Buy is like having the answers to the test.knowing the key in communicating to women vs. men makes it simple to be successful! This is a great tool, with great insight, and it is hilarious! I love to laugh and learn, and with this book you do both. It is definitely a must read for my Leadership Team!
Cordia Harrington, CEO & the Bun Lady, Tennessee Bun Company
List Price:Price:

Shopping for a man''s suit? Walk into a department store, and they''re right by the door?men''s suits in every color and size. A guy gets in and out in plenty of time for kick-off. Need a woman''s suit? Block out the afternoon?her clothing is strategically placed in the farthest corner of the store, past the handbags (on sale!), behind the lingerie, and through the jewelry section. Men and women are wired to shop and buy differently, and smart business people not only know it, they know just how to put it to use every day.
In The X and Y of Buy, veteran branding, marketing, and salesperson Elizabeth Pace breaks the gender code for you to be successful, generate revenue, and market and sell more effectively.
Wow, what an awesome book! I wish it had been written earlier in my career because I definitely would have made more sales. This book is a must read for sales people in all levels of business. I''ve always said you must be a chameleon to be a successful seller when working with various types of people. The X and Y of Buy takes this a step further, revealing fascinating, successful strategies in working with men and women.
Michael Oppenheimer, Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio-Memphis

Reading Elizabeth Pace''s The X and Y of Buy is like having the answers to the test.knowing the key in communicating to women vs. men makes it simple to be successful! This is a great tool, with great insight, and it is hilarious! I love to laugh and learn, and with this book you do both. It is definitely a must read for my Leadership Team!
Cordia Harrington, CEO & the Bun Lady, Tennessee Bun Company
List Price:Price:

Visual drama played out on your wall. The Maasai Animal Print Mirrors – 10W x 10H in. each – Set of 3 adds a touch of wildness to your domesticated space. The set includes three square mirrors in leopard, giraffe, and zebra prints. Each finish is textured faux leather and contrasts beautifully with the black inner and outer frames. Hang separately or in a group for maximum style. Each includes two hanging hooks for simple, easy installation. About SEI (Southern Enterprises, Inc.) This item is manufactured by Southern Enterprises or SEI. Southern Enterprises is a wholesale furniture accessory import company based in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1976, SEI offers innovative designs, exceptional customer service, and fast shipping from its main Dallas location. It provides quality products ranging from dinettes to home office and more. SEI is constantly evolving processes to ensure that you receive top-quality furniture with easy-to-follow instruction sheets. SEI stands behind its products and service with utmost confidence. Made of long-lasting faux leather and particle board Contemporary wall mirrors with attractive animal patterns Comes with 3 hanging hooks for easy installation Adds a vibrant touch to any setting Dimensions: 10W x 1.5D x 10H in.

The question of who owns a tiny Renoir landscape of the River Seine may rest on a four-page handwritten letter penned 78 years ago by a middle-aged woman in a bad mood.

The letter, by the Baltimore art collector Saidie A. May, is reprinted verbatim as part of a 154-page motion for summary judgment filed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Eastern Virginia by attorney Marla Diaz on behalf of the Baltimore Museum of Art.

In effect, the motion asks federal Judge Leonie M. Brinkema to determine that the 1879 oil painting “Paysage Bords de Seine” belongs to the Baltimore museum and not to the 51-year-old Virginia woman who says she bought it at a flea market in 2009 for $ 7 as part of a box of odds and ends.

The letter by the then-56-year-old May is dated Oct. 14, 1935. It’s key to the case because it indicates that the heiress owns the tiny painting (framed, it is about the size of a piece of notebook paper) and planned to lend it to her hometown museum. May later bequeathed her art collection — including the Renoir painting — to the Baltimore museum, according to the motion.

May’s missive, replete with underlinings and multiple exclamation points, was written to Roland McKinney, who at the time was the museum’s director. The heiress — one of the art institution’s major benefactors — seems primarily interested in scolding McKinney about the sorry condition of a religious painting in the museum’s possession. (“It was never in such a bad shape and I’m sick about it,” she writes.)

It isn’t until the very bottom of the third page that May gets to the matter that has attracted interest throughout the art world for the past 15 months:

“The Modern Art Museum will be sending you very soon some small paintings of mine which I am willing to loan the Museum indefinitely if you insure them!!”

The second painting she lists as “Au Bord de la Seine” by Renoir next to this price: $ 1,010.

The peacefulness of the Seine scene, depicted on a linen napkin, belies its tumultuous recent history.

The artwork by the French Impressionist master surfaced publicly in September 2012 when Marcia Fuqua, 51, of Lovettsville, Va., who is also known as Martha, said that she bought the artwork from the Harpers Ferry Flea Market in 2009 without being aware that it was an original Renoir.

She said it was her mother, who went by the names Marcia Mae Fuqua and Marcia Fouquet and who had a fine-art background, who urged her to have the painting appraised. Fouqet died Sept. 9 of this year.

The painting was authenticated by The Potomack Company, a Virginia auction house, which estimated the artwork’s value at between $ 75,000 and $ 100,000. An auction was scheduled for two weeks later, and the inquiries began pouring in from potential buyers internationally.

But the day before the painting was to be sold, the Baltimore Museum of Art produced documents indicating that the work had been stolen from what was then known as the Polk Gallery after the museum closed at 6 p.m. Nov. 16, 1951, and before 1 p.m. the following day.

The auction was called off. The FBI seized the painting and has been holding it in secure storage in Manassas, Va., until Judge Brinkema can resolve the ownership question.

For a time, it appeared that the painting’s rightful owner might have been the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., which paid the BMA’s $ 2,500 theft claim. However, last month, the insurance company transferred its rights to the artwork to the museum.

Diaz’s motion doesn’t dispute Fuqua’s account of how she came to acquire the oil painting. Or, if any doubt is expressed, it is delicately worded.

“Notwithstanding the ‘Renoir’ plate on the frame of the painting and the paper on the back indicating that it was by Renoir and entitled ‘Paysage Bords de Seine,’ Fuqua did not realize that the painting was an original Renoir at the time of her purchase or in the following years,” the motion reads.

“Even if she did purchase the painting at a flea market without knowledge of its authorship and/or title, her claim must still fail as a matter of law because the painting was stolen from the BMA.”

In Diaz’s motion, she provides documents indicating that the Renoir landscape was exhibited at the Baltimore museum at least twice: in March 1950 as part of an exhibit of the May Collection, and again in November 1951, when it was included in a show titled “From Ingres to Gauguin.”

It was during that show that the painting disappeared.

To bolster her argument, Diaz cites the example of a Tiffany sword dating back to the Civil War that vanished from Brown University sometime between 1974 and 1977. The sword was purchased in 1992 from an Illinois antiques dealer by a couple named Donald and Toni Tharpe.

After Brown discovered the whereabouts of the missing weapon, university officials sued to have the sword returned. The lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia — the same district where the Renoir case is pending. Though the Tharpes argued that they had purchased the artifact in good faith, earlier this summer, Magistrate Judge Douglas Miller ruled that the sword belongs to the university and ordered it returned.

In her motion, Diaz argues that the case for the museum’s ownership of the Renoir is even stronger than the winning case presented by Brown University.

Unlike the theft of the sword, which was never fully documented, the Renoir painting was reported to have been stolen within hours after the theft was discovered. Diaz’s motion includes four separate documents alluding to the theft.

She argues that under “well-settled Virginia law” good-faith purchasers of stolen goods are out of luck.

“Ms. Fuqua could not have purchased good title to the painting and does not, therefore, have a valid claim to possession and ownership of the painting,” Diaz’s motion argues. “Her claim to possession and ownership of the painting must be dismissed.”

Fuqua’s attorney, T. Wayne Biggs, declined to comment Tuesday, though he is expected to file a formal response to the motion for summary judgment this month.

A motion for a summary judgment can be granted only if the germane facts in the case aren’t in dispute, if they are so clear-cut that a jury could reach just one possible verdict under the law.

That’s a steep bar for any attorney to surmount — and Fuqua’s attorney has yet to make his client’s case.

But, at a pretrial conference last week, Judge Brinkema might have given a hint as to her thinking. She told the attorneys: “This is a relatively straightforward, simple case. It shouldn’t take much time.”

Learn how to make a one-of-a-kind nursery for baby by decorating with antiques and vintage finds. Discover alternative uses for traditional items while adding a stylish twist to baby’s new room. Best friends and coauthors Barri Leiner and Marie Moss reveal that even a few well-chosen items can provide enough inspiration for an entire nursery. Useful information about where to seek out unique items for baby is also included. Leiner and Moss also take us along for a whirlwind tour of their favorite flea market and junk shops to unearth hidden treasures that are perfect for baby. While some finds are fun and whimsical, others are sure become treasured heirlooms. Sterling silver spoons, vintage birth announcements, handmade quilts all appear in full color and provide inspiration for both the novice and experienced collector. Flea market finds also make the perfect gift for new parents and can be used as decorations or favors for a special baby shower or birthday party.

New – Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) is a Europe’s second-largest clothing retailer. Founded 1946 by Erling Persson in Sweden, H&M initially sold women clothing through “Hennes” stores in Sweden. “Hennes” is Swedish and means “for her.” In 1968 the company acquired the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss, which also offered collections for men, and changed its name into Hennes & Mauritz.Today H&M offers clothes, own-brand cosmetics, accessories and footwear in over 1,800 stores in 34 countries aro